Nashville Activities

The Ryman was founded as a church in 1892, which explains the church pew seating. In the mid-twentieth century it came to house the legendary Johnny Cash television show and the weekly Grand Ole Opry concert and radio show, which was broadcast on WSM-AM. The television show is no more, and the Opry has moved to a new home at the Grand Ole Opry House, but the Ryman remains a must-experience concert venue for its spectacular acoustics. Definitely try to get tickets to a show there and skip the daytime museum tour: You can kill two birds with one stone and check out the display cases while you’re at the concert.

Several times a week, the Grand Ole Opry takes place as a showcase of the best country, bluegrass, and folk bands in the country. The night GP caught it on a visit back to the Ryman, she saw the amazing Emmylou Harris, Carrie Underwood, and Vince Gill, just to give you an idea of the kind of all-star casts the Opry always hosts. The entire show is broadcast live on WSM-AM at 7 p.m. and is the longest-running radio show in history. People say the Opry is touristy, and this is true, but it is at the same time absolutely authentic and the quality of the concerts is truly remarkable.